20,000 Fans Pay Tribute To Tito Vilanova

There was a melancholic mood at Camp Nou. This famous stadium has experienced emotions of all kinds in its glorious history, from epic victories and title triumphs to disastrous defeats, Clasico battles won and lost, successes, failures and much, much more. But surely nothing quite like Saturday.

Fans flocked in their numbers to the Catalans' cathedral of football, which on Saturday became a sacred shrine for a man they won't forget but had come along to remember: Tito Vilanova.

Role model and friend for Pep Guardiola, assistant to the former club captain in the club's most memorable era, father figure to many of the current first-team squad, record-breaking coach and often silent symbol, Vilanova was a genius who stood in the shadows at Camp Nou.

SAD!!! Former Barcelona Coach Tito Vilanova Dies At Age 45

Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has died following a battle with cancer that forced him to stand down at the end of last season, the club announced on Friday.

The 45-year-old took over at the Nou Camp ahead of the 2012-13 season having been Pep Guardiola's assistant during the most successful period in the club's history during which they won three out of four La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues in 2009 and 2011.

Barca went on to make the best-ever start to a La Liga season with 18 wins from 19 games but, in December 2012, Vilanova was diagnosed with cancer for the second time.

Former Barcelona Coach Tito Vilanova Seriously Sick

Tito Vilanova was admitted into a Barcelona hospital last Friday after a serious relapse of his illness. The ex-Barcelona manager was operated on due to a gastric complications, according to Spanish National Radio.

He is said to be gravely ill. The manager has received visits from close friends and family. Vilanova has been battling cancer of the throat since November 2011.

The manager was forced to step down in the summer of 2013 after suffering a relapse of the disease. Tito Vilanova was replaced by Gerardo 'Tata' Martino.